VEXED Megan Targett Interview: “I Think There’s Going To Be A Lot Of Ambulances Needed”

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Ever since dropping their first single ‘Elite’ VEXED have been the talk of the town when it comes to the Alt Metal scene. I have been lucky enough to be given the chance to interview their singer, Megan Targett, and get a better look into what the band have been up to throughout the past year. 

I am joined today with the lead singer of one of the hottest prospects from the UK metal scene right now in Megan Targett from VEXED. How are you doing today?

Megan: Hey! I’m doing great, Thanks for having me.

It’s our pleasure! So let’s start this by talking about your upcoming album. Culling culture is right around the corner, Being due to release on the 21st May. What can your fans expect from the album?

Megan: Expect a lot of headbanging, a lot of breakdowns. It’s a heavy album that does get broken down by some more emotional bits. It’s certainly a rollercoaster. We have a few more accessible songs on there but we also have the heavy bangers too.

That’s good to hear, You guys have just dropped the single ‘Misery’ that’s done quite well from what I’ve seen in terms of streams. Have you been quite surprised at the reaction the bands been receiving?

Megan: Really surprised, Yeah. Especially Misery, it was one of those songs we were a bit nervous about when Napalm (Records) chose it. We were like “Mmm, are you sure?” but it’s actually done really well which has been a nice surprise.

Speaking of Napalm Records, how has it been working under them?

Megan: It’s been brilliant, they’re a lovely bunch of people, I really really like our team and I think that’s the most important thing when you’re working with anyone anywhere. But especially in the music industry, it is having a really lovely trustworthy team around you and that exactly that they are. A really lovely team.

Is it quite an open relationship when it comes to your creative process?

Megan: oh 100%! They just say “Play whatever you want. Do whatever you want and then send it to us.” We have complete freedom and it’s really nice, They trust us and we trust them.

How was the recording process for this album with what’s been going on over the past year?

Megan: Well, it was actually recorded before everything. For us, it was ready to be released and was going to be released before the pandemic hit but Napalm was like “Nope, we’re gonna hold off and you’ve gotta wait a year and a half.” It was horrific and the songs feel really old to us now so it’s a bit weird.  It’s like going back in time a bit.

Oh wow, I remember when your first single dropped with CJ from Thy Art Is Murder and it was posted everywhere. How was it working with him?

Megan: It was crazy! It still hasn’t really sunk in, to be honest, CJ is one of my ultimate vocalist heroes so to be able to get the chance to work with him, It still hasn’t sunk in. I still can’t believe it. I’m still pinching myself nearly every day about that.

That sounds great, Unfortunately, your touring plans ended up getting cancelled due to Covid, does the band have anything lined up for when gigs are allowed to return?

Megan: So, Our booking agents have just started talking to us this week but there nothing set in stone yet. Hopefully, We’ll have something to announce soon.

It’ll be nice when we can all get back to some gigs! How have you found it being a female-fronted band in a genre that has been very male-dominated for such a long time?

Megan: It’s, been really cathartic, it’s been quite freeing. I spent a lot of time in other bands trying to fit the mould and it was soul-destroying. VEXED is really the first time I’ve ever just done it my way unapologetically and it’s been amazing to just be myself and to anyone who doesn’t like it, I can tell them to do one. VEXED is incredibly freeing.

That’s great to hear. So you mentioned how long ago this album was recorded so have you guys started writing for the next release?

Megan: Yeah, We’re writing album two at the moment and like I said it’s a bit weird because we are trying to celebrate releasing the stuff we wrote so long ago while also trying to concentrate and write new material. So yeah, Album 2 is in the making at the moment.

With all this extra time, how was it getting things like the music videos made?

Megan: Well with all the added time, videos are all we really could do because we haven’t been able to rehearse or anything. We’ve really been enjoying making them. It’s been a proper DIY job I must admit but luckily we have a really lovely director and videographer who just works magic with his camera. You wouldn’t actually believe what the set of ‘Misery’ actually looked like. It was in the middle of a village hall made out of plywood!

If you could pick one band to go on a tour with once this lockdown is all over who would it be?

Megan: Ahh there so many! So, my favourite band at the moment is Alphawolf so I’d love to tour with them! Any band in the world? Probably Emmure, or Slipknot, or Thy Art Is Murder. We’ll just do a mega tour. It’ll be fine.

I think it’s gotten to the point now where everyone is just dying for a show and it’s now really just a matter of being told “You can go”.

Megan: Yeah, It’s gonna be pure carnage. I think there’s going to be a lot of ambulances needed. A lot of health tents but it will be the best thing ever. It’s really gonna be the outlet we’ve all missed and I cannot wait for it.

I certainly cannot wait! That’s all I have for you at the moment. Is there anything you’d like to add?

Megan: Check out the new album when it drops on  May 21st and really, Just thanks for having me!

It’s been my pleasure, thank you for coming.